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Assessment of microalgae viability employing insulator-based dielectrophoresis

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Abstract

Microscale bioparticle analysis has advanced significantly providing advantages over bench-scale studies such as the use of a reduced amount of sample and reagents, higher sensitivity, faster response, and portability. Insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) is a microscale technique where particles are driven by polarization effects under a non-uniform electrical field created by the inclusion of insulators between two electrodes. iDEP possesses attractive advantages over traditional electrode-based dielectrophoresis since there is no electrode degradation and manufacture of the device is simpler and economical. This novel and powerful technique has been applied successfully in the manipulation of macromolecules and cells. In this study, differences in dielectric properties (cell membrane conductivity) of viable and non-viable microalgae, Selenastrum capricornutum, were employed to concentrate and separate a mixture of live and dead cells. A microchannel, manufactured in glass and containing an array of cylindrical insulating posts, was employed to dielectrophoretically immobilize and concentrate the mixture of cells employing direct current electric fields. Experiments showed that live cells exhibited a stronger dielectrophoretic response than dead cells, which allowed cell differentiation. Separation and enrichment of viable and non-viable microalgae was achieved in 35 s with a concentration yield of 10.36 and 15.87 times the initial cell concentration, respectively. These results demonstrate the use of iDEP as a technique for rapid assessment of microalgae viability; unveiling the potential of this powerful technique for environmental applications on lab-on-a-chip platforms.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by grant CONACYT-CB-2006-53603. The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by Dr. Mario M. Álvarez and Cátedras de Investigación (CAT122 and CAT142) of Tecnológico de Monterrey and support provided by CINVESTAV-Monterrey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cátedra Biomems y Departamento de Agrobiotecnología y Agronegocios, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, México

    Roberto C. Gallo-Villanueva, Nadia M. Jesús-Pérez, José I. Martínez-López & Adriana Pacheco

  2. Microscale Bioseparations Laboratory, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN Unidad Monterrey, Vía del Conocimiento 201, Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Autopista Monterrey-Aeropuerto km 9.5, Apodaca, NL, 66600, Mexico

    Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas

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  1. Roberto C. Gallo-Villanueva
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  3. José I. Martínez-López
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  5. Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas
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Correspondence to Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas.

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Gallo-Villanueva, R.C., Jesús-Pérez, N.M., Martínez-López, J.I. et al. Assessment of microalgae viability employing insulator-based dielectrophoresis. Microfluid Nanofluid 10, 1305–1315 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-010-0764-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-010-0764-3

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